Surface-wave communications and methods thereof

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system including a frequency mixer that combines a signal and a carrier wave to form a combined signal, and a transmitter that generates a transmission based on the combined signal. The system can also include a coupling device that emits the transmission as an electromagnetic wave guided by an outer surface of a transmission medium. The electromagnetic wave can propagate longitudinally along the surface of the transmission medium and at least partially around the surface of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/175,107, filed Jun. 7, 2016, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/838,997, filed Aug. 28, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,467,870, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/689,103, filed Apr. 17, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,154,966, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/513,588, filed Oct. 14, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,042,812, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/073,267, filed Nov. 6, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,897,697, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to wireless communications and moreparticularly to providing connectivity to base stations and distributedantennas using millimeter wavelength surface-wave communications.

BACKGROUND

As smart phones and other portable devices increasingly becomeubiquitous, and data usage skyrockets, macrocell base stations andexisting wireless infrastructure are being overwhelmed. To provideadditional mobile bandwidth, small cell deployment is being pursued,with microcells and picocells providing coverage for much smaller areasthan traditional macrocells, but at high expense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a surface-wave communications system in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a surface-wave communications system in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a surface-wave communications system in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a surface-wave communications system in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a distributed antenna system in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a backhaul system in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a surface-wave radio and antenna apparatus in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a surface-wave repeater system in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodimentof a method for providing surface-wave communications as describedherein.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details (and without applying to any particular networkedenvironment or standard).

To provide network connectivity to additional base stations, thebackhaul network that links the microcells and macrocells to the corenetwork correspondingly expands. Similarly, to provide networkconnectivity to a distributed antenna system, the communication systemthat links base stations and their distributed antennas correspondinglyexpands. Providing wireless backhaul and networking connections aredifficult due to the limited bandwidth available at commonly usedfrequencies. Fiber and cable have bandwidth, but installing theconnections can be cost prohibitive due to the distributed nature ofsmall cell deployment.

For these considerations as well as other considerations, in one or moreembodiments, a system includes a memory to store executable instructionsand a processor, coupled to the memory to facilitate execution of theexecutable instructions to perform operations including facilitatingreceipt of a signal and modulating a carrier-wave signal with thesignal, wherein the carrier-wave signal is a millimeter-wave signal. Theoperations also include generating a transmission based on thecarrier-wave signal and the signal. The operations further includeemitting the transmission as a guided wave on a surface of a wire via acoupling device.

In another embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a deviceincluding a processor, a signal and modulating a carrier wave with thesignal. The method can also include generating a transmission based onthe carrier-wave signal and the signal, wherein the transmission is amillimeter-wave transmission. The method can also include emitting thetransmission as a guided surface-wave on a wire.

In another embodiment, an apparatus can include a frequency mixer thatis configured to combine a signal and a carrier wave. The apparatus canfurther include a transmitter configured to generate a transmissionbased on the signal and the carrier wave, wherein the transmission has awavelength corresponding to a millimeter-wave band. The apparatus canalso include a coupling device configured to emit the transmission as aguided wave on a surface of a wire.

Various embodiments described herein relate to a system that provides asurface-wave communication system for small cell deployment and/or abackhaul connection for a small cell deployment. Rather than buildingnew structures, and installing additional fiber and cable, embodimentsdescribed herein disclose using high-bandwidth, millimeter-wave (30GHz-300 GHz) communications and existing power line infrastructure.Above ground network connections via power lines can provideconnectivity to the distributed base stations.

In another embodiment, base station nodes and/or antennas can beinstalled on utility poles, and the network connection can be providedby transmitters that send millimeter-wave surface-wave transmissions viathe power lines between nodes. A single site with one or more basestations can also be connected via the surface-wave transmission overpower lines to a distributed antenna system, with cellular antennaslocated at the nodes.

Turning now to FIG. 1, illustrated is an example, non-limitingembodiment of a surface-wave communication system 100 in accordance withvarious aspects described herein. Surface-wave communication system 100includes a radio device 102 that is communicably coupled to a couplingdevice 104 that emits a guided wave 110 that travels along wire 106.

Radio device 102 can receive a signal and generate a transmission basedon the signal and a carrier wave. The carrier wave signal is modulatedby the signal, and the resulting transmission can be carried bywaveguide 108 to coupling device 104. In an embodiment, radio device 102receives the signal from a base station device, the signal beingdirected at a distributed antenna. In another embodiment, radio device102 can receive the signal via a network connection via a physical orwireless connection to existing network infrastructure. The networkconnection can be via fiber and/or cable, or by a high-bandwidthmicrowave connection. The transmission generated by the radio device 102can then be directed towards base station devices communicably coupledto the wire 106.

Waveguide 108 can facilitate transportation of the transmission fromradio device 102 to coupling device 104. In an embodiment, waveguide 108can be a hollow conductive metal pipe that can transport themillimeter-wave band transmission from the radio device 102 to thecoupling device 104. In other embodiments, when coupling device 104includes a frequency mixer for combining the signal and the carrier wavesignal, the waveguide 108 can be a transmission line such as a cable,and can transport the signal to the coupling device 104 from a modem orother device that receives the network connection.

In an embodiment, coupling device 104 is a planar antenna attached tothe wire 106 and is configured to emit the guided wave 110 along thesurface of the wire 106. In an embodiment, the coupling device 104 canbe powered by inductively coupling electric power flowing in the wire106. The power can also be passed on to radio device 102. In otherembodiments, the coupling device 104 and the radio device 102 can bepowered by battery or by solar or other electrical power supply.

Guided wave 110 can be a millimeter-wave band wave that propagates alongthe wire 106. The wire 106 acts as a type of waveguide that functions byslowing the propagation velocity of electromagnetic waves below thefree-space velocity, causing the wavefronts to slightly bend inwardstowards the wire 106, which keeps the waves entrained. Bends of largeradius are tolerated, but too sharp a bend in the wire 106 will causethe line to radiate and lose energy into space. Guided surface-waves canpropagate down both insulated and bare metal cables. Accordingly, wire106 can be insulated in some embodiments, and non-insulated in otherembodiments.

In an embodiment, the wavelength of the transmission is comparable insize, or smaller than a circumference of the wire 106. In an example, ifthe wire 106 has a diameter of 0.5 cm, and a corresponding circumferenceof around 1.5 cm, the wavelength of the transmission is around 1.5 cm orless, corresponding to a frequency of 20 GHz or greater. In anotherembodiment, an ideal frequency of the transmission and the carrier-wavesignal is around 38 GHz. In experimental results, when the circumferenceof the wire 106 is comparable in size to, or greater, than a wavelengthof the transmission, the guided wave 110 exhibits a plurality ofsurface-wave modes. The guided wave 110 can therefore comprise more thanone type of electrical and magnetic field configuration. As the guidedwave 110 propagates down the wire 106, the plurality of electrical andmagnetic field configurations will remain the same from end to end ofthe wire 106.

In the fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM₀₀), whereneither electrical nor magnetic fields extend in the direction ofpropagation, and the fields extend radially outwards, the mode patternis symmetric with regard to the longitudinal axis of the wire 106. Ifthe mode pattern is symmetric, it does not matter at which orientationaround the wire 106 that the coupling device 104 and a receiver (notshown) are placed with respect to each other. According to experimentalresults however, when the circumference of the wire 106 is comparable insize to, or greater, than a wavelength of the transmission, multi-modebehavior is exhibited and at least one of the modes present isasymmetrical, as periodic nulls are experienced when rotating a receiveraround the wire 106 with respect to the coupling device 104.

In an embodiment, multiple asymmetric modes are present, and therefore areceiver that is configured to receive transmissions of a first mode mayhave a different orientation with respect to the coupling device 104than a receiver that is configured to receive transmissions of a secondmode. In another embodiment, a plurality of signals can be multiplexedand/or otherwise combined into a transmission, where each signalcorresponds to a different mode of the transmission. Receivers cantherefore receive different signals from the same transmission based onthe modes that the receivers are configured to receive.

In an embodiment, the coupling device 104 and/or radio device 102 candetermine what is the diameter and/or circumference of the wire 106. Thedetermination can be made based on measurements taken optically ormechanically, or based on data input during installation. Based on thedetermination of the diameter and/or circumference of the wire 106, theradio device 102 can generate a carrier-wave signal with an optimalfrequency for transmission.

In an embodiment, wire diversity paths can be utilized to improveperformance based on environmental conditions. Redundant transmissionscan be sent over two different wires, one insulated, and oneuninsulated. The wire that the transmission is received from can beselected based on the environmental conditions. Attenuation losses indry weather are lower when wire 106 is insulated. However, insulatedwires are more susceptible to losses when rain or other adverse weatherconditions are present. Therefore, radio device 102 can outputtransmissions to two or more coupling devices (similar to couplingdevice 104) that are coupled to insulated and uninsulated wires. Whenthe wires are dry, receivers (not shown) can receive the signals fromthe insulated wires. When the wires are not dry however, thetransmissions can be received from the uninsulated wire.

Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated is a block diagram of an example,non-limiting embodiment of a surface-wave communications system 200.Surface-wave communication system 200 includes a radio device 202 thatis communicably coupled to a coupling device 204 that emits a guidedwave 210 that travels along wire 206. Waveguides 208 can facilitatetransportation of the transmission from radio device 202 to couplingdevice 204.

In an embodiment, coupling device 204 can be a waveguide to coaxcoupling device. A waveguide port 212 can be configured to wrap around aquarter of the wire 206. A total of four waveguide ports can be includedand power can be supplied to each of the waveguide ports. An air bufferor dielectric spacer can be used to insulate a metallic outer shield 214from the wire 206. The structure of the modes in the guided wave 210 canbe controlled by adjusting the relative amplitude and phase of powerinjected into the waveguide ports.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a surface-wave communications system 300 in accordancewith various aspects described herein. Specially trained and certifiedtechnicians are required to work with high voltage and medium voltagepower lines. Locating the circuitry away from the high voltage andmedium voltage power lines allows ordinary craft technicians to installand maintain the circuitry. Accordingly, in this embodiment, aquasi-optical coupling system allows the base station and radio sourcesto be detached from the power lines.

At millimeter-wave frequencies, where the wavelength is small comparedto the macroscopic size of the equipment, the millimeter-wavetransmissions can be transported from one place to another and divertedvia lenses and reflectors, much like visible light. Accordingly, areflector 308 can be placed and oriented on wire 306 such thatmillimeter-wave transmissions sent from radio source and/or transmitter302 and focused via dielectric lens 304 are reflected parallel to thewire 306, such that it is guided by the power line as a surface-wave310. Lens modes that are transmitted by the transmitter 302 couple tothe wire 306.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a surface-wave communications system 400 isshown. Coupling device 406 comprises 2 or more monolithic microwaveintegrated circuits (MMICs) 404 that can operate at millimeter-wave bandfrequencies. The inline (parallel to the wire 402) design yields acompact structure, and the MMICs 404 are well suited to small dimensionsrequired for millimeter-wave band operation. MMICs radiate a highintensity field that couples to the wire 402 and propagates as guidedwave 408 down the wire.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a distributed antenna system 500. Distributed antennasystem 500 includes one or more base stations (e.g., base station device504) that are communicably coupled to a macrocell site 502 or othernetwork connection. Base station device 504 can be connected by fiberand/or cable, or by a microwave wireless connection to macrocell site502. Macrocells such as macrocell site 502 can have dedicatedconnections to the mobile network and base station device 504 canpiggyback off of macrocell site 502's connection. Base station device504 can be mounted on, or attached to, utility pole 516. In otherembodiments, base station device 504 can be near transformers and/orother locations situated nearby a power line.

Base station device 504 can provide connectivity for mobile devices 522and 524. Antennas 512 and 514, mounted on or near utility poles 518 and520 can receive signals from base station device 504 and transmit thosesignals to mobile devices 522 and 524 over a much wider area than if theantennas 512 and 514 were located at or near base station device 504.

It is to be appreciated that FIG. 5 displays three utility poles, withone base station device, for purposes of simplicity. In otherembodiments, utility pole 516 can have more base station devices, andone or more utility poles with distributed antennas are possible.

A coupling device 506 can transmit the signal from base station device504 to antennas 512 and 514 over a power line(s) that connect theutility poles 516, 518, and 520. To transmit the signal, radio sourceand/or coupler 506 upconverts the signal (via frequency mixing) frombase station device 504 to a millimeter-wave band signal and thecoupling device 506 can launch a millimeter-wave band surface-wave (viaembodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4) that propagates as a guided wavetraveling along the wire. At utility pole 518, a coupling device 508receives the surface-wave and can amplify it and send it forward on thepower line. The coupling device 508 can also extract a signal from themillimeter-wave band surface-wave and shift it down in frequency to itsoriginal cellular band frequency (e.g., 1.9 GHz or other cellularfrequency). An antenna 512 can transmit the downshifted signal to mobiledevice 522. The process can be repeated by coupling device 510, antenna514 and mobile device 524.

Transmissions from mobile devices 522 and 524 can also be received byantennas 512 and 514 respectively. The repeaters 508 and 510 can upshiftthe cellular band signals to millimeter-wave band and transmit thesignals as surface-wave transmissions over the power line(s) to basestation device 504.

In an embodiment, system 500 can employ diversity paths, where two ormore wires are strung between the utility poles 516, 518, and 520 andredundant transmissions from base station 504 are transmitted as guidedwaves down the surface of the wires. The wires can be both insulated anduninsulated, and depending on the environmental conditions that causetransmission losses, the coupling devices can selectively receivesignals from the insulated or uninsulated wires. The selection can bebased on measurements of the signal-to-noise ratio of the wires, orbased on determined weather/environmental conditions (e.g., moisturedetectors, weather forecasts, and etc.).

Turning now to FIG. 6, illustrated is a block diagram of an example,non-limiting embodiment of a backhaul system 600. Backhaul system 600can provide network connections to macrocells (e.g., macrocell 618) inlieu of physical cables/fiber, etc. Backhaul system 600 in otherembodiments can also provide network connections to residential orbusiness locations and other end users.

Network connection 602 can be received by radio device 606 attached toutility pole 604 that combines the network signal with a carrier-wavesignal and generates a transmission that is sent to coupling device 608.Coupling device 608 can launch or otherwise emit the transmission as aguided wave on the surface of wire 610. Coupling device 616 on or nearutility pole 614 can receive the transmission and forward it to radiodevice 612 that downconverts the transmission and forwards it tomacrocell 618. It is to be appreciated that while FIG. 6 displays onlyone leg of a surface-wave transmission between two utility poles, inother embodiments, multiple legs are possible with coupling devicesfunctioning as repeaters at one or more of the utility poles.

Coupling device 616 can be oriented around the wire 610 relative to thecoupling device 608 in order to receive a specific mode of thetransmission. The mode selected could be the mode that exhibits the besttransmission characteristics or the least attenuation. Backhaul system600 can also take advantage of diversity paths using two or more wires,with one insulated and one uninsulated.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a surface-wave radio and antenna apparatus700 for a distributed antenna system is shown. System 700 includes basestation devices 704, 706, and 708 that transmit to and receive signalsfrom mobile devices that are in their respective cells. It is to beappreciated that system 700 is shown with 3 microcell base stationdevices purely for exemplary reasons. In other embodiments, a basestation site, or cluster can contain one or more base station devices.It is also to be appreciated that while FIG. 7 corresponds to anapparatus for a distributed antenna system, a similar apparatus can beused in a backhaul system to provide network connectivity to other basestation devices.

The outputs of the base station devices 704, 706, and 708 can becombined with a millimeter-wave carrier wave generated by a localoscillator 714 at frequency mixers 722, 720, and 718 respectively.Frequency mixers 722, 720, and 718 can use heterodyning techniques tofrequency shift the signals from base station devices 704, 706, and 708.This can be done in the analog domain, and as a result, the frequencyshifting can be done without regard to the type of communicationsprotocol that base station devices 704, 706, and 708 use. Over time, asnew communications technologies are developed, the base station devices704, 706, and 708 can be upgraded or replaced and the frequency shiftingand transmission apparatus can remain, simplifying upgrades.

The controller 710 can generate the control signal that accompanies thecarrier wave, and GPS module 712 can synchronize the frequencies for thecontrol signal such that the exact frequencies can be determined. TheGPS module 712 can also provide a time reference for the distributedantenna system.

Multiplexer/demultiplexer 724 can frequency division multiplex thesignals from frequency mixers 718, 720, and 722 in accordance with thecontrol signal from controller 710. Each of the signals can be assignedchannels at the microcells 704, 706, and 708, and the control signal canprovide information indicating the microcell signals that correspond toeach channel. Coupling device 702 can then launch the transmissiongenerated along wire 726 as a guided surface-wave.

Coupling device 702 can also receive transmissions sent by othercoupling devices, where the transmission's carrier wave are carryingsignals directed at the base station devices 704, 706, and 708 frommobile devices. Multiplexer/demultiplexer 724 can separate thesubcarrier signals from each other and direct them to the correct basestation devices based on the channels of the signals, or based onmetadata in the control signal. The frequency mixers 718, 720, and 722can then extract the signals from the carrier wave and direct thesignals to the corresponding microcells.

Turning now to FIG. 8, illustrated is a block diagram illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a surface-wave repeater system 800.Surface-wave repeater system 800 includes coupling devices 802 and 804that receive and transmit transmissions from other coupling deviceslocated in the distributed antenna system or backhaul system.

In various embodiments, coupling device 802 can receive a transmissionfrom another coupling device, wherein the transmission has a pluralityof subcarriers. Diplexer 806 can separate the transmission from othertransmissions, and direct the transmission to low-noise amplifier(“LNA”) 808. A frequency mixer 828, with help from a local oscillator812, can downshift the transmission (which is in the millimeter-waveband) to the native frequency, whether it is a cellular band (˜1.9 GHz)for a distributed antenna system or other frequency for a backhaulsystem. An extractor 832 can extract the signal on the subcarrier thatcorresponds to antenna or other output component 822 and direct thesignal to the output component 822. For the signals that are not beingextracted at this antenna location, extractor 832 can redirect them toanother frequency mixer 836, where the signals are used to modulate acarrier wave generated by local oscillator 814. The carrier wave, withits subcarriers, is directed to a power amplifier (“PA”) 816 and isretransmitted by coupling device 804 to another repeater system, viadiplexer 820.

At the output device 822 (antenna in a distributed antenna system), a PA824 can boost the signal for transmission to the mobile device. An LNA826 can be used to amplify weak signals that are received from themobile device and then send the signal to a multiplexer 834 which mergesthe signal with signals that have been received from coupling device804. The signals received from coupling device 804 have been split bydiplexer 820, and then passed through LNA 818, and downshifted infrequency by frequency mixer 838. When the signals are combined bymultiplexer 834, they are upshifted in frequency by frequency mixer 830,and then boosted by PA 810, and transmitted back to the launcher or onto another repeater by coupling devices 802 and 804 respectively.

FIG. 9 illustrates a process in connection with the aforementionedsystems. The process in FIG. 9 can be implemented for example by systems100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 illustrated in FIGS. 1-8respectively. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, themethods are shown and described as a series of blocks, it is to beunderstood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described hereinafter.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodimentof a method for providing surface-wave communications as describedherein. At step 902, a signal is received. The signal can be from a basestation device and be directed towards distributed antennas. In otherembodiments, the signal can be from a network connection and be directedtowards base station devices.

At step 904, a carrier-wave signal is modulated with the signal. Thecarrier-wave signal can be generated by a local oscillator and modulatedusing a frequency mixer. The frequency mixers can use heterodyningtechniques to frequency shift the signal in the analog domain.Accordingly, the frequency shifting can be done without regard to thetype of communication protocol the signal corresponds to.

At 906, a transmission based on the carrier-wave signal and the signalis generated, wherein the transmission is a millimeter-wavetransmission. At 908, the transmission can be emitted as a guidedsurface-wave on a wire. The wire acts as a type of waveguide thatfunctions by slowing the propagation velocity of EM waves below thefree-space velocity, causing the wavefronts to slightly bend inwardstowards the wire, which keeps the waves entrained. Bends of large radiusare tolerated, but too sharp a bend in the wire will cause the line toradiate and lose energy into space. Guided surface-waves can propagatedown both insulated and bare metal cables. Accordingly, the wire can beinsulated in some embodiments, and non-insulated in other embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 10 and the followingdiscussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of asuitable computing environment 1000 in which the various embodiments ofthe embodiment described herein can be implemented. While theembodiments have been described above in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments can be alsoimplemented in combination with other program modules and/or as acombination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information deliveryor transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refersto a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changedin such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By wayof example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 10, the example environment 1000 forimplementing various embodiments of the aspects described hereinincludes a computer 1002, the computer 1002 including a processing unit1004, a system memory 1006 and a system bus 1008. The system bus 1008couples system components including, but not limited to, the systemmemory 1006 to the processing unit 1004. The processing unit 1004 can beany of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessorsand other multi-processor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 1004.

The system bus 1008 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1006includes ROM 1010 and RAM 1012. A basic input/output system (BIOS) canbe stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmableread only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routinesthat help to transfer information between elements within the computer1002, such as during startup. The RAM 1012 can also include a high-speedRAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1002 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1014 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 1014 can also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1016, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 1018) and an optical disk drive 1020, (e.g., readinga CD-ROM disk 1022 or, to read from or write to other high capacityoptical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 1014, magnetic diskdrive 1016 and optical disk drive 1020 can be connected to the systembus 1008 by a hard disk drive interface 1024, a magnetic disk driveinterface 1026 and an optical drive interface 1028, respectively. Theinterface 1024 for external drive implementations includes at least oneor both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) 994 interface technologies. Other externaldrive connection technologies are within contemplation of theembodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1002, the drives andstorage media accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digitalformat. Although the description of computer-readable storage mediaabove refers to a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette,and a removable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of storagemedia which are readable by a computer, such as zip drives, magneticcassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also beused in the example operating environment, and further, that any suchstorage media can contain computer-executable instructions forperforming the methods described herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1012,including an operating system 1030, one or more application programs1032, other program modules 1034 and program data 1036. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1012. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1002 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1038 and apointing device, such as a mouse 1040. Other input devices (not shown)can include a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, agame pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and other inputdevices are often connected to the processing unit 1004 through an inputdevice interface 1042 that can be coupled to the system bus 1008, butcan be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IRinterface, etc.

A monitor 1044 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 1008 via an interface, such as a video adapter 1046. Inaddition to the monitor 1044, a computer typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1002 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1048. The remotecomputer(s) 1048 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer1002, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device1050 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted includewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1052 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1054. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1002 can beconnected to the local network 1052 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1056. The adapter 1056 canfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1052, which canalso include a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with thewireless adapter 1056.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1002 can includea modem 1058 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN1054 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN1054, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1058, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, can be connected tothe system bus 1008 via the input device interface 1042. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 1002 orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1050. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexample and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer 1002 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can include Wireless Fidelity(Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, the communicationcan be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simplyan ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 11 Mbps (802.11a) or54 Mbps (802.11b) data rate, for example or with products that containboth bands (dual band), so the networks can provide real-worldperformance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used inmany offices.

FIG. 11 presents an example embodiment 1100 of a mobile network platform1110 that can implement and exploit one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter described herein. Generally, wireless network platform1110 can include components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers,or disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g.,internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM))and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well ascontrol generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As anon-limiting example, wireless network platform 1110 can be included intelecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-sidecomponents as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 1110includes CS gateway node(s) 1112 which can interface CS traffic receivedfrom legacy networks like telephony network(s) 1140 (e.g., publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN))or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 1170. Circuit switched gatewaynode(s) 1112 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice)arising from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 1112 canaccess mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network 1170;for instance, mobility data stored in a visited location register (VLR),which can reside in memory 1130. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 1112interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s) 1118.As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 1112 can berealized at least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). Itshould be appreciated that functionality and specific operation of CSgateway node(s) 1112, PS gateway node(s) 1118, and serving node(s) 1116,is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilized by mobilenetwork platform 1110 for telecommunication.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 1118 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions caninclude traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to thewireless network platform 1110, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 1150,enterprise network(s) 1170, and service network(s) 1180, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 1110 through PS gateway node(s) 1118. It is tobe noted that WANs 1150 and enterprise network(s) 1160 can embody, atleast in part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS).Based on radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s)1117, packet-switched gateway node(s) 1118 can generate packet dataprotocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 1118 caninclude a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 1100, wireless network platform 1110 also includes servingnode(s) 1116 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) 1117, convey the various packetized flows of datastreams received through PS gateway node(s) 1118. It is to be noted thatfor technology resource(s) 1117 that rely primarily on CS communication,server node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance on PS gatewaynode(s) 1118; for example, server node(s) can embody at least in part amobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, servingnode(s) 1116 can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)1114 in wireless network platform 1110 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can include add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bywireless network platform 1110. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 1118 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 1116 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 1114 can include utilityserver(s), a utility server can include a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through wireless network platform 1110 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 1112and PS gateway node(s) 1118 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 1150 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to wirelessnetwork platform 1110 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as femto-cell network(s) (not shown) that enhancewireless service coverage within indoor confined spaces and offload RANresources in order to enhance subscriber service experience within ahome or business environment by way of UE 1175.

It is to be noted that server(s) 1114 can include one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of macro networkplatform 1110. To that end, the one or more processor can execute codeinstructions stored in memory 1130, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 1114 can include a content manager 1115,which operates in substantially the same manner as describedhereinbefore.

In example embodiment 1100, memory 1130 can store information related tooperation of wireless network platform 1110. Other operationalinformation can include provisioning information of mobile devicesserved through wireless platform network 1110, subscriber databases;application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates,flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s)consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparateradio, or wireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 1130 canalso store information from at least one of telephony network(s) 1140,WAN 1150, enterprise network(s) 1160, or SS7 network 1170. In an aspect,memory 1130 can be, for example, accessed as part of a data storecomponent or as a remotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 11, and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory caninclude random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory.By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in manyforms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronousDRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM(ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, includingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, watch, tablet computers, netbookcomputers, . . . ), microprocessor-based or programmable consumer orindustrial electronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can alsobe practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network; however, some if not all aspects of the subjectdisclosure can be practiced on stand-alone computers. In a distributedcomputing environment, program modules can be located in both local andremote memory storage devices.

The embodiments described herein can employ artificial intelligence (AI)to facilitate automating one or more features described herein. Theembodiments (e.g., in connection with automatically identifying acquiredcell sites that provide a maximum value/benefit after addition to anexisting communication network) can employ various AI-based schemes forcarrying out various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the classifier canbe employed to determine a ranking or priority of the each cell site ofthe acquired network. A classifier is a function that maps an inputattribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . , xn), to a confidence thatthe input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence(class). Suchclassification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-basedanalysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) toprognose or infer an action that a user desires to be automaticallyperformed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifierthat can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a hypersurface in thespace of possible inputs, which the hypersurface attempts to split thetriggering criteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, thismakes the classification correct for testing data that is near, but notidentical to training data. Other directed and undirected modelclassification approaches include, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks,decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilisticclassification models providing different patterns of independence canbe employed. Classification as used herein also is inclusive ofstatistical regression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to a predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in this application, in some embodiments, the terms “component,”“system” and the like are intended to refer to, or include, acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatuswith one or more specific functionalities, wherein the entity can beeither hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, orsoftware in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, computer-executableinstructions, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration andnot limitation, both an application running on a server and the servercan be a component. One or more components may reside within a processand/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on onecomputer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition,these components can execute from various computer readable media havingvarious data structures stored thereon. The components may communicatevia local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signalhaving one or more data packets (e.g., data from one componentinteracting with another component in a local system, distributedsystem, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systemsvia the signal). As another example, a component can be an apparatuswith specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated byelectric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a software orfirmware application executed by a processor, wherein the processor canbe internal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts, the electroniccomponents can include a processor therein to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components. While various components have been illustrated asseparate components, it will be appreciated that multiple components canbe implemented as a single component, or a single component can beimplemented as multiple components, without departing from exampleembodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: an antenna; a memory thatstores executable instructions; and a processor, coupled to the memory,to facilitate execution of the executable instructions to performoperations, the operations comprising: generating a firstelectromagnetic wave based on a first wireless signal received by theantenna, wherein the first electromagnetic wave conveys first data; andsending, via a coupling device, the first electromagnetic wave topropagate along a transmission medium, wherein the coupling device has acentral axis that is not coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis ofthe transmission medium.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstelectromagnetic wave comprises one or more propagation wave modes. 3.The system of claim 1, wherein the first electromagnetic wave comprisesa non-fundamental wave mode.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstelectromagnetic wave comprises a fundamental wave mode.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein a wavelength of the first electromagnetic wave is lessthan a circumference of the transmission medium.
 6. The system of claim1, wherein the transmission medium is coupled to the antenna.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the transmission medium comprises adielectric transmission medium.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise: receiving, via the coupling device, asecond electromagnetic wave from the transmission medium; andtransmitting, via the antenna, the second electromagnetic wave as asecond wireless signal conveying second data.
 9. A method, comprising:receiving, by a system including a processor, a first wireless signalconveying first data; generating, by the system, a first electromagneticwave based on the first wireless signal, wherein the firstelectromagnetic wave conveys the first data; and coupling, via acoupling device, the first electromagnetic wave to a transmissionmedium, wherein the first electromagnetic wave propagates along thetransmission medium, and wherein the coupling device has a central axisthat is not coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis of thetransmission medium.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the firstelectromagnetic wave comprises one or more propagation wave modes. 11.The method of claim 9, wherein the first electromagnetic wave comprisesa non-fundamental wave mode.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein thefirst electromagnetic wave comprises a fundamental wave mode.
 13. Themethod of claim 9, wherein a wavelength of the first electromagneticwave is less than a circumference of the transmission medium.
 14. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the receiving comprises receiving via anantenna.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the transmission mediumcomprises a dielectric transmission medium.
 16. The method of claim 9,wherein the system includes an antenna, and wherein the method furthercomprises: receiving, via the coupling device, a second electromagneticwave from the transmission medium; and converting, by the system, thesecond electromagnetic wave to a second wireless signal conveying seconddata, wherein the converting comprises transmitting the second wirelesssignal by the antenna.
 17. An apparatus, comprising: an antenna, theantenna being configured to receive a wireless signal; and a couplingdevice in operative communication with the antenna, the coupling devicebeing configured to send a guided electromagnetic wave, according to thewireless signal, along a transmission medium, the coupling device havinga central axis that is not coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis ofthe transmission medium.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein theguided electromagnetic wave comprises one or more propagation wavemodes.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the guided electromagneticwave comprises a non-fundamental wave mode.
 20. The apparatus of claim17, wherein the guided electromagnetic wave comprises a fundamental wavemode.